A WEALDEN District councillor representing Hailsham has defected for the second time in as many years, prompting a sharp response from local Conservatives.
Cllr Neil Cleaver, who represents Hailsham Central on Wealden District Council, has left the Conservative Party to join Reform UK. His latest move follows a series of party changes since his election in 2023, when he was originally elected as a Liberal Democrat before defecting to the Conservatives in 2024.
The announcement came after Cllr Cleaver attended a Reform UK event in West Sussex on Wednesday evening, where party leader Nigel Farage introduced him on stage.
Speaking at the event, Cllr Cleaver said he had decided to switch allegiance due to concerns about the direction of the Conservative Party.
“I am defecting from the Conservative Party because over the past year, I strongly believe the party has not listened to the public,” he said. “I believe Reform has, and has a very strong leader and team behind him.”
However, the move has drawn a strong rebuke from Bob Standley, chairman of the Sussex Weald Conservative Association, who confirmed that Cllr Cleaver had been expelled from the party with immediate effect.
In a letter addressed to the councillor, Mr Standley said: “Given your email to Cllr Ann Newton this morning, you will not be surprised that you are therefore expelled from the Conservative Party with immediate effect.
“Given you have been a member of the LibDem, Conservatives and now Reform, it would appear your political choices are driven by electoral expediency rather than heartfelt principles.
“Given our conversations and the assistance I have given you over recent years, I am appalled you did not have the basic courtesy of letting me know of your decision rather than me hearing it in the media.”
Cllr Cleaver currently serves on Wealden District Council’s Major Planning Committee as well as the Scrutiny and Performance Committee.
